AHS16 - Ancestral Health Symposium 2016

In a one-arm feasibility trial conducted in New Zealand, 25 overweight children (8-13 years) underwent a 12-week whole-food, low carbohydrate, healthy fat (LCHF) dietary intervention. Key feasibility aspects assessed via focus groups included dietary acceptability, adherence, attrition rate and cost-effectiveness. Ease of recruitment (to inform a proposed RCT on overweight children using LCHF vs “mainstream” weight loss strategies) was also evaluated. Efficacy outcome variables, measured at baseline and at 12 weeks, included anthropometry (weight, height, waist circumference and fat mass), and blood parameters (lipids, glycaemic measures). Overall, attrition rates were high (48%), dietary acceptability was mostly positive, and cost-effectiveness was mixed. On average completing children lost 2.1% body fat (CI: -3.8% to -0.3%); p=0.027. Key blood parameter changes included an overall reduction in triglycerides and an increase in HDL cholesterol. Other feasibility and efficacy aspects will be discussed along with key strategies for our future study.